The Condor Heroes: The Quanzhen Sect has produced a vengeful master!

Watching Wang Shouyuan's retreating figure, Wang Jiuling silently shook his head.

He knew about Wang Shouyuan's family, so Kublai Khan must not have lied to him.

There's no other reason than that it's simply unnecessary.

For the Song court at present, what is a "mere" amount of embezzled death benefits?

Not to mention the soldiers who have already died in battle, even the active-duty army cannot afford to pay their salaries.

If you can get 30 out of 100 coins of military pay, you should be thankful.

However, if this were an ordinary Song person, they would probably be lamenting in their heart at this moment, cursing the court for its incompetence, and feeling extremely disappointed in the Song court.

But Wang Jiuling wouldn't, because he knew all too well the nature of the imperial court now.

Disappointment? There has to be hope before there can be disappointment!

Wang Jiuling never placed any hope in the Song court, so how could he be disappointed?

Wang Jiuling chose to directly break the boundaries of this question and asked Kublai Khan a counter-question.

"So, according to the prince's meaning, does that mean my Song land only has that corrupt official and no one else?"

"So, what about the nation and its people? Aren't his family members citizens of the Song Dynasty? Can't they represent the Song Dynasty?"

"Moreover, our great Song Dynasty has produced many heroes. One corrupt official cannot represent everyone."

Wang Jiuling narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone calm, yet every word was profound.

"Have you not heard of the deeds of Yue Fei, the Loyal and Martial King? He was devoted to his country, disregarding his own life, and his life was filled with noble integrity!" (Yue Fei)

"Personally speaking, shouldn't the prince also consider loyalty to the Song Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed, and they looked at each other in shock.

"Qingyangzi! How...how dare you..."

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 10 ...

"You! How dare you do this?"

They thought Wang Jiuling was completely insane and asked Kublai Khan whether he wanted to be loyal to the Song Dynasty.

He's Kublai Khan! You want him to consider loyalty to the Song Dynasty?

Isn't this a slap in the face to Kublai Khan on the spot?

They kept saying how arrogant and unrealistic Wang Jiuling was, but they didn't know how to refute him.

After all, Wang Jiuling cited Yue Fei as an example, which is undeniable.

Kublai Khan was also stunned for a moment. He had intended to use this to provoke Wang Jiuling, not to make Wang Jiuling surrender directly, but just to leave a thorn in Wang Jiuling's heart.

He would fall for the trap as soon as Wang Jiuling answered.

If he says it's right, then he's going against his conscience; if he says it's wrong, then how can he justify himself?

In short, no matter how you answer, it's wrong.

Unexpectedly, Wang Jiuling took a different approach, and with a counter-question, he left Kublai Khan speechless and embarrassed in front of everyone.

Well... well, Qingyangzi! Not only is his martial arts astonishing, but his manner of speaking is also admirable.

He is truly accomplished in both literary and martial arts!

The more Wang Jiuling acted this way, the more Kublai Khan liked him and wanted to win him over.

After a long while, Kublai Khan smiled and nodded.

"Master Qingyang's words are reasonable; I have learned a lot."

These words caused a further change in the expressions of everyone present. This madman was so audacious, yet His Highness the Prince was still giving him face?!

But Kublai Khan was not someone to be trifled with, and naturally he would not truly bow down.

He ignored the strange looks from the crowd and spoke slowly and gently.

"Mr. Wang is loyal, not a corrupt official. He has shown me through his actions that he has a heart of loyalty and righteousness. This is what makes him a hero, and I admire heroes the most!"

Kublai Khan then looked at the person who had been brought in with Wang Shouyuan.

This man was different from Wang Shouyuan; he was dressed in tattered clothes, had unkempt hair and a full beard.

"This man is also a Song official we captured, but he is different from Mr. Wang."

Kublai Khan narrowed his eyes. "This man is named Wang Xun; he has no real talent or learning, only opportunism!"

Kublai Khan looked at Wang Xun, his eyes turning dangerous.

The man immediately knelt before Kublai Khan. "Prince, spare me! Prince, spare me! I'm willing to surrender! I'm willing to surrender to the Mongols, please don't kill me!"

Kublai Khan squinted at the person in front of him.

Wang Xun had actually said he wanted to surrender long ago. Kublai Khan had kept him around to show Wang Jiuling how spineless the officials of the Song Dynasty were.

This was intended to undermine Wang Jiuling's confidence in the Song Dynasty.

But he knew he couldn't use that method anymore; Wang Jiuling wouldn't buy it.

Kublai Khan then devised a plan and looked at Wang Jiuling.

"You're absolutely right, Master."

"The Song Dynasty not only had corrupt officials, but also countless heroes! I was narrow-minded before."

Kublai Khan looked at Wang Xun.

Wang Xun noticed that Kublai Khan's gaze was strange, and he was trembling with fear.

"Prince! I'm willing to serve you like a slave! I'll be loyal to the Mongols! Prince, please don't kill me!"

Kublai Khan gave a cold laugh.

"A spineless, talentless, and utterly disloyal piece of trash like you is not to be tolerated by our Great Mongol Empire!"

"Guards! Drag him out and behead him!"

No one expected Kublai Khan to suddenly pull this stunt.

But it was precisely Kublai Khan's cleverness that made it possible for no one to say he was wrong for doing this.

People would only think that he appoints talented people and wouldn't let a scoundrel like Wang Xun follow him around to fill a vacancy.

On the contrary, it makes people feel that he is good at using people and recognizing their abilities, and has the aura of a powerful ruler.

It can win people's hearts.

If such a reputation spreads, it might attract truly capable and ambitious people to follow in the future.

Wang Xun was quickly dragged out and beheaded.

Kublai Khan returned to the main seat.

"Today, I had the pleasure of discussing the state of the world with a true sage, and drinking wine while debating heroes!"

The banquet became lively again, as if nothing had happened.

Unbeknownst to many, Wang Jiuling and Kublai Khan had already clashed once.

Wang Jiuling stormed into the enemy camp alone. Surrounded by enemies on all sides and facing Kublai Khan's fatal question, he remained calm and composed, almost embarrassing Kublai Khan.

Kublai Khan, sitting on his home turf, reacted swiftly, turning the tide of the game and even earning himself a good reputation.

Kublai Khan was naturally surrounded by truly capable people, and as they recalled their recent exchange, they all sighed with admiration:

Amazing!

Kublai Khan clearly did not intend to win over Wang Jiuling in one fell swoop.

The banquet proceeded as normal without any further incidents.

After the banquet, Kublai Khan tried to persuade Wang Jiuling to stay, and his reasons were quite reasonable.

The alchemical texts he found, left behind by Lu Zu and Zhengyang Zushi, were in disarray, mixed with other books.

Many of them weren't even in Chinese; Wang Jiuling and his people had to work together to organize and translate them before they could be taken away.

Wang Jiuling did not reject this reason.

If the books Kublai Khan mentioned truly existed, Wang Jiuling would naturally be interested and want to take them back with him.

As for whether it's safe or not here?

Wang Jiuling said he wasn't worried at all, and that Kublai Khan could try to outlast him if he dared.

He just needs time.

If he were to force his way out now and try to take what he wants with him, he would probably have to go through a lot of trouble.

They might be besieged by the Mongol army and have to flee in a sorry state.

But if another half month or so passes, the situation will be different.

Whether or not Kublai Khan will give it to them at that time will not be up to him.

Wang Jiuling already knew that Kublai Khan wanted to win him over.

It's just stalling for time, isn't it? Let's see who's afraid of whom.